Update on fire-damaged buildings in Midhurst – May 2026

The project group – which is made up of the site owners, their specialist advisors Manorwood, Cllr Yvonne Graveley from West Sussex County Council and the National Park Authority – have been reviewing all available options to bring the site back into use.

We are pleased to say we have identified an option which provides the fastest route to achieve this, and importantly, allows the pavement to fully re-open in the shortest timeframe.

The application is currently being prepared and we expect it to be submitted to the National Park Authority over the summer months.

More details about the proposals will be available once the planning application is finalised.

In addition, the National Park Authority has approved all conditions relating to dismantling sections of the building to the rear of Olive and Vine/Blown Away. The application for this work was approved last year.

This will allow for repair works to be finalised on neighbouring properties and acts as the first phase of the project.

You may therefore see activity on the site in the coming weeks, and we will communicate start dates once they are confirmed.

Frequently Asked Questions

Why has it taken three years to get to this stage?

This is the first time in three years that a bona fide planning application with firm plans for the site is on the table.

The site is privately-owned and therefore, as the Local Planning Authority, the SDNPA is open to considering any planning application that comes forward for the site, but until now there has not been one.

A number of factors, outside of the control of the SDNPA, have meant that getting to this stage has taken considerable time, most notably the insurers being able to agree to a settlement with the owners.

A cross-organisational working group, including the site owners, County Council, Town Council, and SDNPA, has been working hard in active discussions to help unlock development so the site can be brought back into use as soon as possible.

Why can’t you just demolish the remaining structure?

The remaining structure is still a Listed Building, protected by law, and as a Local Planning Authority we cannot authorise demolition of a listed building in a conservation area without knowing what is going to be built in its place.

Three years on this remains the case and it would be illegal for anyone to pull down the buildings without Listed Building Consent.

Listed Building Consent can only be considered if there is a planning application on the table and until now, there has not been one.

The SDNPA does not own the site and has no demolition powers, but it’s worth saying that it would never be good placemaking to leave an empty hole in a Conservation Area with no development and no plan for its replacement.

Can’t you just compulsory purchase the site?

Compulsory purchase powers are complex and all other routes need to be exhausted before they are considered and granted by the courts. At this time our priority is to work with the landowners to unlock development of the site as soon as possible. We are encouraged by the recent positive momentum to achieve this and will support this in any way we can.

 What are the exact details of the proposal for the site?

We are discussing the development of the site with the owners and their advisers, but any new buildings will reflect the previous appearance of the site and be a development the town can be proud of.

What will happen if a planning application is submitted?

The South Downs National Park Authority is the Local Planning Authority for Midhurst, so would consider any future planning application for the site. This would be subject to statutory consultation with the public and interested parties.

I have seen posts on social media about Land Charges, what is that about?

After the fire, the SDNPA used its powers to undertake urgent works to secure the buildings. Whilst we do not own the buildings, it was important that we used our powers to ensure that the listed buildings were protected and North Street was reopened as soon as possible, given the significant disruption caused to the town and wider area by the full road closure.

The SDNPA recovers its costs from the owners of the buildings, and a charge is placed on the land, which is standard procedure.

Payments for the Angel are finalised and settled, however it takes some time for the charge to be removed following payment.